1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb SGC-Graded Trio (3 Different)

The hobby's most universally cherished set of tobacco cards—the famed T206 "White Border" series—was a "living" production. That is, the issue's content evolved continuously during its 1909-11 span of distribution, the intent being to ensure that smokers drawing cards from packs of cigarettes were greeted by images of active—and, ideally, the game's most prominent—ballplayers. The manufacturer's diligence resulted in the ultimate release of more than 500 different T206 cards, in total, including four treasured poses of the period's acknowledged superstar, Ty Cobb.

Then, as now, the sight of a Ty Cobb card emerging from concealment must have brought about a special thrill for the finder. The on-field exploits of the man, coupled with the intensity of his personality, caused the future Hall of Famer to stand out dramatically against a line-up of his colleagues. His distinctive, charismatic aura has endured for nearly a full century at this point, with no sign of abating.